National budget 10.28.09

Wednesday

Oct 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMOct 28, 2009 at 4:24 AM

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

GateHouse News Service National Budget
For 10/28/09 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 p.m. local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

Zope update: Changes made to most popular stories.
http://ghnewsroom.com/article/zope-update-changes-made-most-popular-stories

Casey Laughman: Take a step back to add depth to coverage
http://ghnewsroom.com/article/take-step-back-add-depth-coverage

Niche 2010 schedule: Check out the Niche products planned for next year.
http://www.ghnewsroom.com/article/gatehouse-2010-niche-schedule

HALLOWEEN ON THE NEWS SERVICE: Read all about it at ghnewsroom.com.
http://ghnewsroom.com/article/check-out-halloween-content-gatehouse-news-service

HALLOWEEN CONTENT: Check out our Halloween links package, and continue to check back, as we’ll update as new stories come in. If your newspaper has something to share, please send it to us via Zope or e-mail it to national@gatehousemedia.com.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x576526613/Halloween-2009-content

FLU SEASON: H1N1 and seasonal flu content - Stories, columns, cartoons and more on H1N1 "swine flu" and seasonal flu. If your paper has an item to share, please send it to us via Zope or e-mail it
to national@gatehousemedia.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/special_reports/x1699605699/H1N1-and-seasonal-flu-content

Lifestyles

MORNING MINUTES: We've expanded what we're offering in Morning Minutes to provide your paper with more options and to give your readers a couple more interesting tidbits. It now includes Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day, Number to Know, This Day in History, Today’s Featured Birthday and Daily Quote.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/morning_minutes

HOME HELP: Weekly home rail, leads with tips on attracting birds, also includes advice on creating unique seasonal accents, how to safely use a portable generator, and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x1914248034/Home-Help-Songbirds-can-liven-up-your-landscape

HOME PAGE: Playing with fire
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x637609810/Weekly-home-page-Playing-with-fire

FAMILY TIME: Weekly family rail, with holiday etiquette tips, a review of “Cirque du Freak” and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1520364353/Family-Time-Dazzle-your-guests-with-your-holiday-etiquette

LOST IN SUBURBIA: Pet smart and a pound foolish - Barely five minutes after we flushed our dead goldfish down the toilet, the kids were bucking for a replacement.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1699627856/Lost-in-Suburbia-Pet-smart-and-a-pound-foolish

MOTHER’S GARDEN: Recovering from blight -- I read that 50 percent of people in this country grow food crops at home. It may be just an herb or two, or a whole variety of fruits and vegetables harvested over a many months. As one who has been growing edibles for over 30 years, I can tell stories about failures and successes of all kinds. But one old reliable has always been the tomatoes. Until this year, that is.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x884491793/Mothers-Garden-Recovering-from-blight

GREEN THUMBS UP: Notes from a difficult gardening season – Despite the many disappointments of this year’s challenging growing season, most passionate gardeners tend to adopt an optimistic outlook from season to season, applauding their successes and accepting their failures, knowing that the pursuit of their hobby relies on the whim of Mother Nature.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/x1520368464/Green-Thumbs-Up-Notes-from-a-difficult-growing-season

MOVIE FOOD: Food on film a big draw for some -- Food lovers notice the apple of their eye has become a film genre. These culinary flicks are hot and surefire: Even if the plot sucks, and it often does, well, we’re there for the food.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1520368353/Food-on-film-a-big-draw-for-some

G-RATED HALLOWEEN TREATS: Scrumptious, not scary, treats -- Halloween is a great time to have fun with food. But many cooks prefer to forgo the gory treats, such as bloody eyeball truffles and toxic waste punch complete with floating “amputated” gummy fingers. We understand. So if you’re looking for more mild-mannered edibles, look no further. These cupcakes and pizzas are scrumptious, without being scary.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1717112024/Scrumptious-not-scary-Halloween-treats

BOILING POINT: Cabbage rolls, any way you like them -- Cabbage rolls are easily made. They are lamb, pork, or beef stretched with rice and seasoned lightly. These are packed into cute packages made from boiled cabbage leaves. The rolls then bake smothered with sauce.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/x884490467/Boiling-Point-Cabbage-rolls-any-way-you-like-them

THE BEER NUT: Suprenant's Berry Farm is brewing up jellies and jams - Bruce Surprenant does not like beer. But he loves jams and jellies that are made with craft beers.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/food/beverages/x1717111863/The-Beer-Nut-Suprenants-Berry-Farm-is-brewing-up-jellies-and-jams

HALLOWEEN HAZARDS: The evils of tooth decay on Halloween -- Kids will be chomping, chewing and sucking on all sorts of candy during Halloween, so does that make a trip to the dentist inevitable? Parents should know that some candies are worse than others for the teeth.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/x1615058145/The-evils-of-tooth-decay-on-Halloween

SONGS OF HEALING: Musician offers lyrical learning with music therapy -- Rachel Rambach has a song for almost every occasion or teachable moment, from "Yummy Summer" and "Friendly Words" to "Fall into Fall" and "Under, Over, In and Out." The 26-year-old Springfield, Ill., native has composed more than 100 melodies, using them in her work as a music therapist for the Hope Institute for Children and Families, and in her private practice.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/health/x665154140/Musician-offers-lyrical-learning-with-music-therapy

CANCER HELP: Ellie Fund helps with stress, money while patients battle breast cancer -- Anne Meisner of Natick, Mass., was 28 and had just given birth to her second son when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2007. And despite having her medical costs mostly covered, she still needed help. Meisner found the Ellie Fund, which provides day-to-day support to women battling breast cancer.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/health/x1615057718/Ellie-fund-helps-with-stress-money-while-patients-battle-breast-cancer

CANCER RESEARCH: Scientists hope mouse research leads to new anti-cancer therapies -- Can an experiment with rodents lead to the end of breast cancer as we know it? Recent collaborative work between Cambridge, Mass., research institutes has lead to a discovery of a method of screening for chemicals that selectively kills breast cancer stem cells in culture and in mice, a breakthrough that may directly or indirectly lead to new anti-cancer therapies.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x665152460/Scientists-hope-mouse-research-leads-to-new-anti-cancer-therapies

RELIGION AND SCIENCE: Educators honor religious beliefs while embracing research -- A growing number of scientists, medical professionals and academicians say there doesn’t need to be a conflict between religion and science. There has long been tension between science and religion, but many claim the din is getting louder and more uncivil in the bicentennial birth year of Charles Darwin.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1717112242/Educators-honor-their-religious-beliefs-while-embracing-research

DAY OF THE DEAD: Day of the Dead a happier holiday than its name suggests -- The Day of the Dead is a day of happiness, similar to other traditions that include going to a grave and leaving flowers. Cynthia Ramirez, a folk artist and fine arts professor at Southern University of New Orleans, said there are many common misconceptions about the tradition. It is not the Mexican version of Halloween, and it is not meant to be scary.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1520366055/Day-of-the-Dead-a-happier-holiday-than-its-name-suggests

SEXY COSTUMES FOR KIDS: Trend of sexy Halloween costumes for young girls are downright frightening, say moms - In ads for Halloween costumes, a coven of corseted witches gives their best come-hither stare. Sexy swashbucklers pose provocatively alongside frisky French maids and vampire vixens. While racy Halloween costumes are nothing new, these costumes are for young girls, and many of them are available starting in 4T.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1717107988/Trend-of-sexy-Halloween-costumes-for-young-girls-is-downright-frightening-say-moms
- With illustration
- Localize it: Talk to a mom or two in your area about the trend and add her/their quotes.

SHOESTRING LIVING: Getting back in the retirement savings game - So many of us have scaled back or even stopped retirement savings contributions out of necessity, but the truth is that even in a frugal life, there’s room for retirement savings. Here's how.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x665149405/Shoestring-Living-Getting-back-in-the-retirement-savings-game

Entertainment

5 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND: This weekend’s suggestions: Catch some playoff baseball and soccer; celebrate Halloween; catch a scary movie at the theater; check out some new books; and celebrate the Day of the Dead.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x884490756/5-Things-to-Do-This-Weekend-Oct-30-Nov-1
- Localize it: The Halloween item is meant to be localized, so add relevant info about events in your town. Also, add bar/pub info for sports item, add theater info, add bookstore and library info, and add any info on Dia de los Muertos events in your area.

SUDOKU: Puzzles for October (463-490) are available for download. Previous puzzles are linked to in this file, or visit our Puzzles category.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/puzzles/x576519466/Sudoku-puzzles-463-490-October-puzzles

SUDOKU: Puzzles for November (491-525) are available for download. Previous puzzles are linked to in this file, or visit our Puzzles category.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/puzzles/x637605105/Sudoku-puzzles-491-525-November-puzzles

FLICKS: Clooney always looks good — yes, even in stop-motion -- Name the actor who portrayed the following: George Burnett, Chic Chesbro, Booker Brooks, Det. James Falconer and Sparky the Dog. If you guessed George Clooney, confidently adjust your finely tailored jacket.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x1914249709/Flicks-Clooney-always-looks-good-yes-even-in-stop-motion

AUTHOR Q&A: Horror author Eric Enck on scary tales -- If it’s Halloween, chances are a gruesome story is emerging from the depths of author Eric Enck’s mind. His latest, “Suck,” is a short tale included in “The Anthology of the Living Dead,” a collection of zombie-themed works. We caught up with Enck recently to discuss the new book, his writing process and why horror may not be his genre of choice much longer.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x23527360/Horror-author-Eric-Enck-on-scary-tales

EDITORIAL: The spotlight is on Kerry - John Kerry would probably bristle at the notion that he is just now stepping out of the shadow of Ted Kennedy. But whether or not Kennedy's passing in August had anything to do with it, Kerry has recently been emerging as a figure of consequence in Washington. By MetroWest Daily News.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x23527388/Editorial-The-spotlight-is-on-Kerry

EDITORIAL: A compassionate choice on medical marijuana -- Last week, the U.S. Justice Department rolled out what was touted as a major policy change, that it would no longer target and arrest severely ill folks who legally use medical marijuana with a doctor's prescription in states that allow it. It's a significant shift, but one that sensibly prioritizes what's important for Uncle Sam - stopping drug dealers and drug addicts, not law-abiding sick people. By Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x884492288/Editorial-A-compassionate-choice-on-medical-marijuana

CHARITA GOSHAY: Halloween can’t hold a candle to real-life scary stuff -- With annual retail sales second only to Christmas, Halloween is hardly kid stuff. Aside from the usual monsters and ghouls, this year’s popular masks and costumes include Michael Jackson, Michelle Obama, Bernie Madoff, the Joker from “The Dark Knight” Batman film, and President Barack Obama, which in some people’s minds are not necessarily mutually exclusive. But retailers, I think, have missed out on some potential money-makers.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/charita_goshay/x1914249439/Charita-Goshay-Halloween-cant-hold-a-candle-to-real-life-scary-stuff

PETER CHIANCA: Things to do on Twitter when you’re dead -- The latest Twitter development should really push the service to the next level. Just in time for Halloween, a U.K. psychic is mounting the first-ever Twitter séance, which she’s referring to as a “Tweance.”
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x23527248/Peter-Chianca-Things-to-do-on-Twitter-when-you-re-dead

FRANK MULLIGAN: Time to play beat the clock -- The driver looked at the car’s clock for the fifth time in 10 minutes. It read 1:18. The driver knew it took 20 minutes to get from where he was at that very moment to the highway exit. It then took an additional 20 minutes to get from that exit to the appointment site. These were precise times, based on experience. NASA couldn’t time a space shuttle flight any more accurately.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x665152645/Frank-Mulligan-Time-to-play-beat-the-clock

MATTHEW CASEY: The immunity of fame – Last month, acclaimed filmmaker Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a warrant related to outstanding criminal charges in the United States. Today, Polanski awaits the result of an upcoming extradition hearing that could return him to the U.S. — and prison.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1717112305/Matthew-Casey-The-immunity-of-fame

PHIL LUCIANO: Marge's house: Where everybody knows your gang -- Eighty-some years later, Virginia Smith recalls a particularly scary houseguest. Dark hair. Long scar. Good dancer. Al Capone. That's the caliber of visitor you might get when you run a speakeasy out of your home, as did Smith's mother, Marge Taylor. And Capone, one of her hooch suppliers, sometimes would drop by.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1520368442/Phil-Luciano-Marges-house-Where-everybody-knows-your-gang

News

OH, BABY: 911 dispatcher guides delivery -- Lisa Bloom usually dispatches an ambulance upon receiving a call of a woman in labor. If Junior is in a hurry to enter the world, the Ogle County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Department 911 dispatcher may have to do a bit more. That was the case Friday.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1914249909/Oh-baby-911-dispatcher-guides-delivery

SCUBA DEATH: Husband found guilty of killing former Thayer Academy principal while scuba diving - The husband of a former Thayer Academy administrator has been found guilty of murdering her a decade ago while they were scuba diving in the waters off Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Prosecutors said David Swain killed Shelley Tyre to pursue another woman. Experts testified that he tore off her mask from behind and shut off her air supply near a shipwreck.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1914249641/Husband-found-guilty-of-killing-Former-Thayer-Academy-principal-while-scuba-diving

SHOCK THERAPY: Rotenberg Center’s controversial shock therapy on hot seat at Massachusetts State House hearing - Parents, teachers, lawyers and advocates testified for hours Tuesday at a public hearing over whether controversial shock therapy treatments should be banned at the Judge Rotenberg Center.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x884492157/Rotenberg-Center-s-controversial-shock-therapy-on-hot-seat-at-State-House-hearing

H1N1 AND CHURCH: For H1N1, Boston Archdiocese urges parishes to practice protection as well as prayer - A new directive will change worship for the rest of the flu season. Communion will be celebrated with wafers and no wine, and there won’t be any hugs or handshakes for the customary Sign of Peace. By Lane Lambert.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1520368145/For-H1N1-Boston-Archdiocese-urges-parishes-to-practice-protection-as-well-as-prayer

BIZ BITS: Weekly business rail, with tips on how to thrive at work, a BBB warning on teeth whiteners sold online and more.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1693436393/Biz-Bits-How-to-go-from-survive-to-thrive-at-work

MAKING CENTS: Life insurance policies need close review - For decades, life insurance has been viewed as a buy-and-hold asset. It is seen as something you buy to protect a certain need, whether it's income replacement, estate planning or for business purposes. But in recent years, treating life insurance as a separate asset class - just like stocks, bonds, cash and real estate - has come into vogue among financial professionals.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1520363552/Making-Cents-Life-insurance-policies-need-close-review

CHECKOUT LANE: Popularity of craft beers comes to a head - Drew Brosseau, president of Mayflower Brewing Co. in Plymouth, says craft beers, which are usually made at local breweries, offer drinkers bolder tastes than the brands hawked by the major brewers. “No doubt there’s been a big movement in the direction of local beers,” he says.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1717107492/Checkout-Lane-Popularity-of-craft-beers-comes-to-a-head

FINE PRINT: Buyers beware - unofficial Web sites can mark up tickets - The Boston Opera House reopened in 2004, and it still doesn't have the rights to BostonOperaHouse.com. But many ticket buyers think they're visiting the venue's official Web site when they go to that address.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x1520363514/Fine-Print-Buyers-beware-unofficial-Web-sites-can-mark-up-tickets

Sports

PRO-FOOTBALL PAGES: Pages from PFW, including the following versions: national, New York, Bears, Patriots, Chiefs and Rams.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/sports/x1615057981/Pro-Football-Weekly-pages-10-28-09

PHILLIES VS. YANKEES: Former Phillies ace Roberts reflects on last time team took on Yankees in World Series -- Former Philadelphia Phillies ace Robin Roberts doesn’t always remember the birthdays of his children, but if you ask the Hall of Fame pitcher about the 1950 World Series … “I remember all the games I pitched like that,” the 83-year-old Roberts said Tuesday afternoon by phone from New York, where he is doing some public relations for the Philadelphia Phillies in a reprise of the 1950 World Series against the Yankees.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x665154143/Former-Phillies-ace-Roberts-reflects-on-last-time-team-took-on-Yankees-in-World-Series